I ditched a work meeting last week to meet a couple of girlfriends for lunch... the guilt of missing the meeting slowly disappeared as K-Dub and S.Pray (can I call you "Spray"?) and I settled into our chairs on the patio in the sun. K-Dub was on break from school (she teaches year-round) and Spray and I welcomed the chance to escape our desk jobs and see each other mid-day.
Naturally, the conversation landed on "bathroom" chatter. We covered the topics of work, shopping, boys, Facebook and movies, and found ourselves discussing bathroom etiquette. It's nice to know that some of this bothers other people and not just me.
Decision #1: When possible, always allow for the buffer. If there are three stalls and the middle one is occupied, you really don't have a choice but to work side-by-side. However, if one stall is occupied, and it's possible to skip one before sitting down in the next (we girls sit down, you know), then by all means: allow for the buffer.
Decision #2: It is not acceptable to sing in a public bathroom. ...This includes the work bathroom at the end of the hall Miss Whistler at my office!!! I finally figured out who she is, and if I can find a delicate way to silence her singing, I will. I've come to the bathroom to take care of a private matter, I do not need your soundtrack!
Strategy: If the stall you have chosen is out of TP and you notice it too late, it is acceptable to reach under and pull the paper down that is visibly hanging in the stall next to you (assuming it's vacant, of course). I have strategically used this method more than once. Just recently, a woman came into the stall just after my stealth steal and had to pull the tissue back to her side. Oopsie!
Rule: ALWAYS use the tissue liner for the seat. Just do it.
Decision #3: It's almost always cute to hear a kiddo's chatter in the public restroom. I think my sisters have a few stories of when their munchins embarassed them in this scenario, but it is very entertaining for the audience.
Decision #4: Always, always, ALWAYS wash your hands before leaving. This should not have to be pointed out, but I have seen/heard someone walk out more than once without stopping at the sink. AND, some of you don't wash for long enough. Splashing the water around in the sink does not constitute a good cleansing. Sheesh!
Confession: sometimes I go to the bathroom at work just to get away from the ringing phones, dinging emails and nagging employees. Sometimes I take my phone with me. Most times I'm catching up on Facebook posts when I have my phone with me. Sometimes I event comment... yes, all while I'm in the bathroom. Is that uncomfortable for you? Next time you notice me on FB during the day, will you wonder if I'm on the potty? I might be.
P.S. K-Dub, you didn't exactly expect the first post that you were tagged in to be about the bathroom, did you? Yeah... sorry 'bout that. :)
